Coldest Winter since 1998-1999 Grips Alaska

news image
Special Stories
7 Mar 2020 1:11 PM
Alaska just experienced its coldest meteorological winter (December, January, February) in 21 years. https://youtu.be/NizFJ-lPmcE It will also go down as the 22nd coldest winter in the 96-year period of record, putting it in the coldest 25% of winters for the state as a whole. The interior and north slope were the primary drivers of the big chill. Fairbanks plunged below -30°F on 33 days, which was the most since 1999. The high temperatures failed to even hit 0°F on 51 separate days, which was the most since 1974! February was notably cold in northern Alaska, which contributed to the overall statistics. Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) had an average monthly temperature of -26.1°F in the month of February, which was nearly 12° below the long term average. The mercury dropped to or below -40° on 7 separate occasions during the month, which was the most in any month since January of 1989. All of this cold came after Alaska had its warmest year statewide in 2019.  
All Weather News
More
Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues This Weekend

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues This Weekend

Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retard

27 Jun 2026 7:30 PM
New Area to Monitor in the Atlantic

New Area to Monitor in the Atlantic

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

27 Jun 2026 5:55 PM
Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

The hottest temperatures of the year are loom

27 Jun 2026 5:40 PM
Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

A significant early-summer trough is expected

27 Jun 2026 3:50 PM
'MCS' Season Takes Hold with Severe Weather & Flooding Threats for the Plains & Midwest

'MCS' Season Takes Hold with Severe Weather & Flooding Threats for the Plains & Midwest

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,

27 Jun 2026 10:12 AM
Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's

26 Jun 2026 2:25 AM
Flood Threat Persists This Week

Flood Threat Persists This Week

New rounds of rainfall are expected to contin

25 Jun 2026 11:30 AM